Three different companies linked to Washington settled allegations that they applied for and received illegal pandemic-related loans.

The companies agreed to pay back more than $5.5 million in restitution and penalties, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

Duty-free store found ineligible for loans

One of the companies was Lotte Duty Free Guam LLC., a division of Lotte Hotel Holdings USA LLC.

Lotte Duty Free Guam LLC received two Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, according to the attorney’s office, citing the settlement agreement.

Lotte, which operates a duty-free store at the Guam airport, claimed to have fewer than 500 employees, making them eligible for the loans. However, it

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